2012 Ford Focus Steering Problems
- 791
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 791 stored complaint records:
- 20 indicate a crash
- 21 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
- 3 indicate a death
What owners report
- power steering · 103 records
- steering wheel · 44 records
- steering assist · 43 records
- assist fault · 15 records
- steering failed · 13 records
- failure mileage · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 339 |
| 30–60k mi | 165 |
| 100–150k mi | 138 |
| 1–30k mi | 76 |
| 150–400k mi | 19 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. The contact stated that while exiting from the driveway, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the r and r steering rack and steering sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,703. ..updated 06/08/17 *bf
ODI 10979778
Steering
There was a power steering failure when backing out of parking spot. I was unable to turn the wheel, resulting in blocked traffic, and disruption to other drivers in the parking lot. Managed to drive car (in straight line, back to earlier parking space). Dealer indicated that there is a power steering issue that could impact safety (stranding the vehicle in parking lots or loss of control at speed).
ODI 10993705
Steering
While backing out of driveway power steering failed. Could not regain power steering until vehicle was turned off and then restarted
ODI 10984878
Steering
Power steering assist failure. Drove to work fine, 8 hours later came out to go home and the power steering would not work. Turned off the car and all electronics in hopes it was just a boot error with no success. The error was "power steering assist failure." had to have car towed due to it not being highway safe. Recalls for power steering on other models after failure.
ODI 10971903
Power Train · Steering
Vehicle was stationary when i turned the car on. Steering column locked up and the car started beeping and presented the warning "system check steering assist fault service required." this only happens when the vehicle is stationary and not in motion. In order to stop the above issue, i had to turn the car off and back on and then the steering would unlock.
ODI 10972125
Steering
Power steering would randomly go out when starting the car. At first, turning car off and restarting would clear error and steering would be fine. One day, car turned on and error wouldn't clear. No power steering at all. Took into dealer to repair. Repair will cost of $1900. Not sure why it's not covered under power train warranty. And with the amount of complaints i've read online for 2012 ford focus power…
ODI 10971236
Steering
After starting the car and starting to back out of a parking place, the audible notification came on and the dash board displayed a message saying "steering assist fault". After that the steering felt like there was no power steering at all
ODI 10971034
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. After the vehicle was started, the power steering failed to operate intermittently for up to five seconds. On another occasion, while turning, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering failure and service power steering system warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
ODI 10970307
Steering
4/01/2017 - started up the car and get a warning message that "steering assist fault. Service required." lost power steering, need a lot of effort to steer while drive is park. Turn engine off and turn it back on again, power steering restored, work normally. Then happen again 9/23/2017 (turn off and on engine to resolve). But today (10/16/2017), the same symptom and this time, turn on and off engine does not clear…
ODI 11033932
Steering
Power steering goes out very hard to steer, yellow trouble light some times comes on. Very scary when it happens. Happens when starting from stop position.
ODI 10969900
Steering
Power assist steering failed twice while driving, one at low speed (15 mph) and again in traffic at (50 mph). Turning ignition off than on returns steering to normal. No warning before failure. Lucky to get vehicle off to shoulder off to side of freeway without a collision.
ODI 10967941
Steering
Pulls to the right. Steering gets hard to turn. I was in ashville n.c traffic when it happen in 3 lanes traffic final was able to get side of the road.scared hell out of me.call ford,they said there is no recall for this
ODI 10968260
Steering
On at least five occasions the power steering has failed while driving at speeds greater than 45mph. Just prior to the failure a warning light turns on. Once the vehicle is parked and turned off then back on the power steering resumes normal operation. Ford dealership recommends replacement of the steering system. Seems to be very similar to a recall issue on other ford models
ODI 10967356
Steering
Driving on highway vehicle reported - electronic power-assisted steering failure. I lost power steering. On highway problem was manageable. It requires much more effort to steer and control car in city.
ODI 10967248
Steering
Power steering assist fault. Incredibly dangerous was on the freeway starting our vacation that is now ruined because ford is closed on sunday's.
ODI 10967055
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford focus. While driving various speeds, the steering malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred more while driving at a lower speed. The contact stated that more force was needed to control the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted (legacy ford, 27225 southwest fwy, rosenberg, tx, 77471, [redacted]) and advised the contact to bring in the vehicle. The dealer…
ODI 11023961
Steering
The electric power steering unit is defective. My daughter was driving on the highway. It began making a grinding noise while driving and minutes later after pulling off the highway it started locking up where it would not turn. My daughter was able to jiggle it back and forth to make it steer into her works parking lot. Steering failure light came on and said to safely stop. I had to trailer it a mechanic shop…
ODI 10966596
Steering
I went to start up my 2012 ford focus to drive my son to school, and as it turned over i received a message on my dashboard saying there was a problem with the steering assist module and that it needed service immediately. I still had to drive my son into school, so i had to drive my focus in traffic with no power steering. The car was very hard to steer and fortunately i made it ok. Later, when i went to leave for…
ODI 10966392
Steering
The power assist fault keeps coming on and the steering wheel is hard to turn when stationary and when you try to turn.
ODI 10966142
Electrical System · Steering
Notice came up on dash monitor "steering assist malfunction-needs attention". After re-starting the car you could steer it, and took it to a ford dealer and was told it needed a "steering rack" at a cost of $1600.00, not covered on the "drive train" warranty, even though i was told by the sales man from a different dealer where i bought the car, that a new steering rack had been installed at just over 3000 miles.…
ODI 10967167
Steering
My daughter complained that she received a dashboard warning and lost power steering a few times- to confirm, i drove her car for a week and it happened six times in one week!!! Total loss of steering! It happened while in reverse, driving forward and upon starting. In my driveway, and in city streets and while turning. I was not going fast and was watching for it. What could happen to those who aren't watching for…
ODI 10968214
Steering
Upon start-up a yellow warning message was displayed that the power steering had failed, i.e. It took great effort to turn the steering wheel. Car was shut off. Later in the day, car was re-started and the power steering was again working and no warning light (amber) was displayed. Appointment with dealer was made to address issue.
ODI 10956275
Steering
Started the car in my driveway and the steering assist failure light came on. The car has no power steering. It is not drivable. I drive 70 miles a day on the freeway and it was pure luck this didn't cause an accident.
ODI 10956194
Steering
While driving on the highway 2/17/2017 my focus lost power steering. I managed to pull over and had the car taken to dean sellers for repairs. After the repairs were done ($2100) i learned of similar problems with the 2012 ford focus and the power steering going out.
ODI 10957504
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
Driver assist fault again. This is the 4th instance that is happened in 3 weeks - where my car suddenly powers off while i am behind the wheel. The last three times it happened while my car was in reverse motion. Today, it happened while i was in drive but stopped at a red light in downtown charlotte, nc. Someone had to help me push my car out of the middle of the road. Occurred on my way to work around 3:30 pm est.
ODI 10955324